Westhil wrestlers pin Ridgefield

Emery Filmer

Published 11:22 pm, Thursday, January 3, 2013

STAMFORD -- It was supposed to be good test for the Westhill and Ridgefield wrestling teams, but Thursday's meet between the two FCIAC schools didn't quite turn out that way.

Westhill, which won 69-9, was hoping to build up for what is looming as a rather difficult week ahead. Ridgefield was hoping Thursday's meet against one of the FCIAC's better teams would serve as a barometer in what has been an up and down season so far. But with seven Ridgefield wrestlers not making the trip due to illnesses or injuries, the plan didn't work out.

"I was disappointed (Ridgefield coach Brian Hayes) was missing so many of his wrestlers," Westhill coach Tom Pereira said.

"I was hoping it would be a nail-biter, or at least a little more exciting than this," Hayes added. "But it's been a tough year so far for us. We have seven guys either sick or injured."

Westhill won six of the 13 matches by forfeit. That left some of the Vikings' top wrestlers -- Nick Jimenez at 152 pounds, Mike Vigliottiat 220 and Isaac Chevron at 182 -- without any action heading into what promises to be stiff competition this weekend. Westhill will participate in the Fairfield Warde Tournament, an event that will include several non-conference powers, as well as the host team that is currently ranked third in the state.

"We'll have a good test this weekend for them," Pereira said, alluding to Thursday's inactive wrestlers.

Following the Warde tournament, Westhill (12-2) will host Danbury, the No. 1-ranked team in the state.

Besides Conte, Jimenez is 16-1 on the season for Westhillwhile Choyban is 16-2.

Ridgefield, meanwhile, which was missing top wrestler Matt Philbin, had only one winner, Colin Storm (126), who bested Gavin White in a 16-9 decision.

"Without our seven guys, this is what I expected," Hayes said. "Westhill is a top team. The FCIAC is very strong but they have the talent where if they step it up and show up ready to go they can be a top team."

Westhill, 17-8 last season, is continuing a steady progression since Pereira took over five years ago. The Vikings had a winning season in his first year then fell below .500 in his second. Since then it's been constant improvement.

"This is our best year yet," Pereira said. "Every year we've been getting better and continuing the trend. But we better put it together and show up at Warde and then against Danbury or it won't be pretty."